Central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus)

Species information

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Threats

The direct threats to this species have not been identified. It is difficult to assess whether the population merely undergoes dramatic fluctuations in response to climate change, or if other factors are also to blame for past population crashes (2). Some potential threats, however, include the loss of habitat through inappropriate fire management, or grazing by feral herbivores such as horses (2). Predation by dingoes may also be a factor that threatens the survival of this species (2).

Conservation

The majority of sites where the central rock-rat is known to exist are found within the West MacDonnell National Park (2). Captive individuals are being reared in Alice Springs Desert Park (4), and a management plan for wild populations is in the final stages of production (2).